The theremin is the granddaddy of electronic instruments, invented in the 1919 by Russian immigrant Lev Sergeivitch Termen (anglicized to Leon Thermin) and originally called by the inventor the aetherphon or thereminvox.
It is played by moving ones hands in front of an antenae and thereby influencing the electromagnetic waves. You don't actually touch it to play one.
It was originally mastered for classical music by Clara Rockmore, basically replacing the violin parts in songs with it. In the '50s it saw frequent use in sci-fi movies as scary electronic alien sounds, and in the '60s Brian Wilson used it in the Beach Boys mega hit "Good Vibrations." Rober Moog, who invented the Moog synthesizer developed his instrument from the theremin, and after selling the rights to his own invention now manufactures theremins for a living.
Here are a couple links to sites with more information about theremins and those who play them:
theremin.info/
www.thereminworld.com/
and here's a virtual one you can actually play with online!:
www.bbc.co.uk/science/pla...min1.shtml
I'd love to get comments from others about their experiences with theremin music, links, and/or just comments about discovering it here. Lets keep this thread alive for a bit!
It is played by moving ones hands in front of an antenae and thereby influencing the electromagnetic waves. You don't actually touch it to play one.
It was originally mastered for classical music by Clara Rockmore, basically replacing the violin parts in songs with it. In the '50s it saw frequent use in sci-fi movies as scary electronic alien sounds, and in the '60s Brian Wilson used it in the Beach Boys mega hit "Good Vibrations." Rober Moog, who invented the Moog synthesizer developed his instrument from the theremin, and after selling the rights to his own invention now manufactures theremins for a living.
Here are a couple links to sites with more information about theremins and those who play them:
theremin.info/
www.thereminworld.com/
and here's a virtual one you can actually play with online!:
www.bbc.co.uk/science/pla...min1.shtml
I'd love to get comments from others about their experiences with theremin music, links, and/or just comments about discovering it here. Lets keep this thread alive for a bit!
